Reduce pull leash apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a reduced-pull leash device includes a first extendible leash section and a second leash section. The second leash section is longer than the unextended first leash section. The first leash section&#39;s first end is configured to couple to or near the second leash section&#39;s first end. The first leash section&#39;s second end is configured to couple to a harness at a location on top of a dog. The second leash section&#39;s second end is configured to couple to a harness at a front location of the dog. The lengths of the first and second leash sections are configured so the first leash section extends when a dog pulls on the leash until the second leash section becomes taut. Once the second leash section becomes taut, a lateral force is generated on the dog to pull the dog laterally. Numerous other embodiments are provided.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/147,869, filed Sep. 30, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,687,513,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/476,975, filed Apr. 1, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,653,116, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for allpurposes.

FIELD

The present application relates to leashes for walking animals and morespecifically to reduced pull leash apparatus and methods.

BACKGROUND

Dogs are wonderful companions and walking them can be a pleasantexperience. For example, dogs provide a reason to get outside intonature, and are ideal walking or running partners.

A dog is typically walked on a leash that is connected to a collarplaced around the dog's neck. Ideally, the leash is used to gently guideor direct the dog in a direction of travel. However, when a dog isuntrained or gets excited, such as when the dog sees a squirrel oranother dog, the dog may pull on the leash. This may result in the dogpulling, or even dragging, the person holding the dog's leash. This maybe dangerous to both the dog and the person walking the dog. Forexample, the dog may be chocked by the collar and even may be injured.Likewise, the person walking the dog may be pulled off balance orknocked down. In some cases, the dog walker may suffer joint injuriesfrom an unexpected pull and/or from multiple pulling events that occurover time. Example pull injuries include wrist, elbow and shoulderstrains.

Methods and apparatus for reducing injuries to dogs and people who walkdogs are desired.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the invention, a reduced-pull leash device isprovided for coupling to a leash. The reduced-pull leash device includes(1) a first leash section that is extendible, the first leash sectionhaving a length, a first end and a second end; and (2) a second leashsection, the second leash section having a length, a first end and asecond end. The length of the second leash section is longer than thelength of the first leash section while the first leash section isunextended. The first end of the first leash section is configured tocouple to or near the first end of the second leash section. The secondend of the first leash section is configured to couple to a dog harnessat a location on top of a dog. The second end of the second leashsection is configured to couple to a dog harness at a front location ofthe dog. The length of the first leash section and the length of thesecond leash section are configured so that the first leash sectionextends when a dog pulls on the leash until the second leash sectionbecomes taut. Once the second leash section becomes taut, a lateralforce is generated at the front location of the dog by the second leashsection so as to pull the dog laterally.

In some embodiments of the invention, a reduced-pull leash device isprovided. The reduced-pull leash device includes (1) a first leashsection that is extendible, the first leash section having a length, afirst end and a second end; and (2) a leash having a plurality ofmounting locations. The first end of the first leash section isconfigured to couple to one of the plurality of mounting locations ofthe leash so as to define a second leash section having a length and afirst end and a second end, the first end located where the first end ofthe first leash section couples to the leash at one of the plurality ofmounting locations. The length of the second leash section is longerthan the length of the first leash section while the first leash sectionis unextended. The second end of the first leash section is configuredto couple to a dog harness at a location on top of a dog. The second endof the second leash section is configured to couple to a dog harness ata front location of the dog. The length of the first leash section andthe length of the second leash section are configured so that the firstleash section extends when a dog pulls on the leash until the secondleash section becomes taut. Once the second leash section becomes taut,a lateral force is generated at the front location of the dog by thesecond leash section so as to pull the dog laterally.

In some embodiments, a method of reducing pulling on a leash includes(1) providing a first leash section that is extendible, the first leashsection having a length, a first end and a second end; and (2) providinga second leash section, the second leash section having a length, afirst end and a second end. The length of the second leash section islonger than the length of the first leash section while the first leashsection is unextended. The method further includes (3) coupling thefirst end of the first leash section to the leash at or near the firstend of the second leash section; (4) coupling the second end of thefirst leash section to a dog harness at a location on top of a dog; and(5) coupling the second end of the second leash section to a dog harnessat a front location of the dog. The length of the first leash sectionand the length of the second leash section are configured so that thefirst leash section extends when the dog pulls on the leash until thesecond leash section becomes taut. Once the second leash section becomestaut, a lateral force is generated at the front location of the dog bythe second leash section so as to pull the dog laterally. The methodfurther includes employing the second leash section to generate alateral force on the front location of the dog during walking of thedog. Numerous other aspects are provided in accordance with these andother embodiments.

In some embodiments, a reduced-pull leash device for coupling to a leashincludes (1) a first leash section that is extendible, the first leashsection having a length, a first end and a second end; and (2) a secondleash section, the second leash section having a length, a first end, asecond end and a plurality of mounting locations. The length of thesecond leash section is longer than the length of the first leashsection while the first leash section is unextended. The first end ofthe first leash section is configured to couple to one of the pluralityof mounting locations of the second leash section. The second end of thefirst leash section is configured to couple to a dog harness at alocation on top of a dog. The first end of the second leash section isconfigured to couple to a dog leash. The second end of the second leashsection is configured to couple to a dog harness at a front location ofthe dog. The length of the first leash section and the length of thesecond leash section are configured so that the first leash sectionextends when a dog pulls on the leash until the second leash sectionbecomes taut. Once the second leash section becomes taut, a lateralforce is generated at the front location of the dog by the second leashsection so as to pull the dog laterally.

In some embodiments, a reduced-pull leash system includes (1) a dogharness having at least one mounting location along a top region of thedog harness and plurality of mounting locations near a front region ofthe dog harness; (2) a first leash section that is extendible, the firstleash section having a length, a first end and a second end; and (3) asecond leash section, the second leash section having a length, a firstend and a second end. The length of the second leash section is longerthan the length of the first leash section while the first leash sectionis unextended. The first end of the first leash section is configured tocouple to or near the first end of the second leash section. The secondend of the first leash section is configured to couple to the dogharness at the at least one mounting location along the top region ofthe dog harness. The second end of the second leash section isconfigured to couple to the dog harness at one of the plurality ofmounting locations near the front region of the dog harness. The lengthof the first leash section and the length of the second leash sectionare configured so that the first leash section extends when a dog pullson the leash until the second leash section becomes taught. Once thesecond leash section becomes taught, a lateral force is generated nearthe front of the dog by the second leash section so as to pull the doglaterally.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following detailed description, the appendedclaims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic representations of a reduced-pull leashdevice provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 1C and 1D are top schematic illustrations of the forces generatedon a dog by the reduced-pull leash device provided in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1E is an alternative embodiment of the reduced-pull leash device inwhich the second leash section is coupled to a harness and/or the firstleash section with an additional leash section in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1F is an alternative embodiment of the reduced-pull leash device inwhich the second leash section is coupled to the neck region of aharness with an additional mounting piece in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 1G illustrates a simplified electrical circuit for providing one ormore of an alarm, a vibration and/or a shock in response to the secondleash section of the reduced-pull leash device becoming taut inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another alternative reduced-pullleash device provided in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of another alternativereduced-pull leash device provided in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another alternative first leashsection provided in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of another example reduced-pullleash assembly provided in accordance with embodiments herein.

FIG. 5B is a schematic representation of an example reduced-pull leashsystem that includes the reduced-pull leash assembly of FIG. 5A providedin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5C illustrates another example embodiment of a reduced-pull leashassembly provided in accordance with embodiments herein.

FIG. 5D illustrates another example embodiment of a reduced-pull leashassembly provided in accordance with embodiments herein.

FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of another example reduced-pullleash device provided in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6B is a top schematic illustration of the forces generated on a dogby the reduced-pull leash device of FIG. 6A provided in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a schematic representation of a reduced-pull leash systemthat includes reduced-pull leash device of FIG. 6A provided inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one or more embodiments provided herein, a leashdevice is provided that reduces the burden of walking a dog or otheranimal that pulls. In some embodiments, a reduced-pull leash deviceincludes a first leash section that is extendible and that couples to atop portion of a dog harness, such as near a back region of a dog. Thereduced-pull leash device also includes a second leash section thatcouples to a front portion of a dog harness, such as near a neck or sideregion of the dog. The first and second leash sections may also coupleto and/or form part of a dog leash.

When a dog is using the reduced-pull leash device, the first leashsection extends when the dog begins to pull on the dog leash. At thisstage, the dog feels pulling along its back due to the first leashsection. The first leash section extends until the second leash sectionbecomes taut. Once the second leash section becomes taut, a lateralforce is generated at the front location of the dog because of the pullon the second leash section. The lateral force at or near the frontregion of the dog causes the dog to be pulled sideways and/or rotate.The harder the dog pulls, the more the dog rotates. This makes it muchharder for the dog to pull the person holding the dog leash. The lateraland/or rotational force has been found to discourage a dog from pulling,and to train the dog to stop pulling once it feels the first leashsection extending or stop extending. Numerous other embodiments areprovided. These and other embodiments are described further below withreference to FIGS. 1A-6C.

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a reduced-pull leash device 101provided in accordance with the present invention. The reduced-pullleash device 101 includes a first leash section 103 a that is extendibleand that couples to a top portion of a dog harness 105, such as near aback region of a dog 107. The reduced-pull leash device 101 alsoincludes a second leash section 103 b, that in some embodiments is of afixed length (e.g., is not extendible), and that couples to a frontportion of the dog harness 105, such as near a neck region of the dog107. The first and second leash sections 103 a, 103 b also couple to adog leash 109. The dog harness 105 may be any conventional dog harness.The dog leash 109 may be any conventional dog leash such as a fixedlength or retractable dog leash.

The first leash section 103 a may be formed of any extendible,stretchable and/or expandable material such as a natural or syntheticrubber, neoprene, or the like. In some embodiments, the first leashsection 103 a may include one or more bungee cords. The second leashsection 103 b may be formed from leather, nylon, chain, cable or anyother suitable material that is sufficient in strength to not break whenpulled on by a dog or other animal to be walked.

In some embodiments, a first end of the first leash section 103 a and afirst end of the second leash section 103 b may couple to a ring,carabiner, hook or similar device 111, which may also couple to theleash 109. A second end of the first leash section 103 a may couple tothe dog harness 105 at a back region of the dog 107, such as with aring, carabiner, hook or similar device 113. A second end of the secondleash section 103 b may couple to the dog harness 105 at a neck regionof the dog 107, such as with a ring, carabiner, hook or similar device115. Other coupling devices and/or locations may be used.

The length of the first leash section 103 a and the length of the secondleash section 103 b are configured so that the first leash section 103 aextends and/or expands when a dog pulls on the dog leash 109 until thesecond leash section 103 b becomes taut. Once the second leash section103 b becomes taut, a lateral force is generated at the front location(neck region as shown in FIG. 1B, or side-shoulder region as shown inFIG. 6A) of the dog 107 so as to pull the dog laterally. For example, asshown in FIG. 1B, as the dog 107 pulls forward with a force F1, theperson (not shown) walking the dog 107, exerts an opposite force F2 tostop the dog 107 from moving forward. In response to these oppositelydirected forces F1 and F2, the first leash second 103 a is stretched andextends as indicated by double arrow 117.

First leash section 103 a expands until second leash section 103 bbecomes taut. At this point, any additional force from the personwalking the dog 107 creates a lateral and/or rotational force F3 thatcauses the dog 107 to be pulled laterally as the dog 107 tries to pullforward. The harder the dog 107 pulls, the more the dog 107 rotates.This makes it much harder for the dog 107 to pull the person walking thedog 107. The lateral and/or rotational force has also been found todiscourage the dog 107 from pulling, and to train the dog 107 to stoppulling once it feels the first leash section 103 a extending or stopextending.

FIGS. 1C and 1D are top schematic illustrations of the forces generatedon the dog 107 by the reduced-pull leash device 101 provided inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG.1C, when the dog 107 initially pulls on the leash 109, section 103 abegins to extend and the force exerted by the dog 107 pulling forwardedis directed through first leash section 103 a primarily in-line with thedog 107 (e.g., along the y-axis in FIG. 1C). Once the dog 107 pulls hardenough that the first leash section 103 a extends to a point at whichthe second leash section 103 b becomes taut, the second leash section103 b pulls the dog 107 in both a backward (y-axis) and lateral (x-axis)direction as shown by arrow (force) F3.

The force F3 pulls the dog 107 laterally and causes the dog 107 to pivotbecause the back legs of the dog 107 become fixed pivot positions aboutwhich the dog 107 can rotate due to the lateral (x-axis) force componentof force F3. The harder the dog 107 pulls, the more the dog 107 ispulled sideways or rotates. As mentioned, this makes it much harder forthe dog 107 to pull the person walking the dog 107. It has also beenfound to discourage the dog 107 from pulling and to train the dog 107 tostop pulling once it feels the first leash section 103 a extending orstop extending.

FIG. 1E is an alternative embodiment of the reduced-pull leash device101 in which the second leash section 103 b is coupled to the harness105 and/or the first leash section 103 a with an additional leashsection 103 c. The additional leash section 103 c may be of a fixedlength or extendible and is used to prevent the dog 107 from becomingtangled in the second leash section 103 b when the second leash section103 b is loose (not taut). The additional leash section 103 c may bemade from the same material as the first leash section 103 a, the secondleash section 103 b, or from any other suitable material. The additionalleash section 103 c may be coupled to the harness 105, the first section103 a, the coupling device 113 or another other suitable location.

FIG. 1F is an alternative embodiment of the reduced-pull leash device101 in which the second leash section 103 b is coupled to the neckregion of the harness 105 with an additional mounting piece 119. Theadditional mounting piece 119 is designed to increase the rotationaltorque exerted on the dog 107 by the second leash section 103 b duringpulling by the dog 107. In particular, the additional mounting piece 119moves the connection point of the second leash section 103 b laterallyfrom the harness 105 in the neck region of the dog 107. In someembodiments, the additional mounting piece 119 may include an alarm (notseparately shown in FIG. 1F) that generates a sound when the secondleash section 103 b is taut and pulls on the additional mounting piece119 with greater than a predetermined force. Additionally oralternatively, the additional mounting piece 119 may vibrate and/orshock the dog 107 when the second leash section 103 b becomes taut andpulls on the additional mounting piece 119 with greater than apredetermined force. For example, FIG. 1G illustrates a simplifiedelectrical circuit 121 for providing one or more of an alarm, avibration and/or a shock in response to the second leash section 103 bbecoming taut. With reference to FIG. 1G, the second leash section 103 bmay be coupled to a spring activated switch 123 (e.g., via a coupling125) that closes electrical circuit 121 when the switch 123 is pulledwith a predetermined force or greater by the second leash section 103 b.Closing the electrical circuit 121 causes a battery 127 to deliverelectrical energy to one or more of an alarm 129, a vibration mechanism131 and/or an electrical shock mechanism 133 to provide one more of anauditory warning, a vibration or a shock to dog 107 to warn dog 107 tostop pulling. This switch 123 may release (e.g., under spring action)and open the electrical circuit 121 when the dog 107 stops pulling so asto stop the alarm, vibration and/or shock. The alarm, vibration and/orshock may therefore be “pull-activated.” In at least one embodiment, oneor both ends of the additional mounting piece 119 may be coupled to thedog harness 105 to improve stability, such as via one or more straps(not shown) extending between the ends of the additional mounting piece119 and dog harness 105 (e.g., near the coupling device 113 (FIG. 1E) oranother suitable location).

In some embodiments, the lengths of the first and second leash sections103 a, 103 b are selected so that the first leash section 103 a extendswhen a dog pulls on the dog leash 109 until the second leash section 103b becomes taut as shown in FIG. 1B, for example. The length of the firstleash section 103 a may depend on many factors such as the size of thedog 107, how long a user wants the reduced-pull leash device 101 to beas the length of first leash section 103 a effectively increases thelength of the leash 109, the position of the coupling fastener 113relative to the coupling fastener 115, how much the first leash section103 a extends, etc. Similarly, the length of the second leash section103 b may depend on many factors such as the size of the dog 107, howmuch force a user wants to exert before the second leash section 103 bbecomes taut, the position of the coupling fastener 113 relative to thecoupling fastener 115, how much the first leash section 103 a extends,etc. In some embodiments, the first leash section 103 a may be about ½to about ¾ of the length of the second leash section 103 b. In oneparticular embodiment, the first leash section 103 a may be about 4-15inches, and in some embodiments about 7-12 inches, and the second leashsection 103 b may be about 14-30 inches, and in some embodiments about16-25 inches. Other first and/or second leash section lengths may beused.

In some embodiments, the length of the first leash section 103 a and/orthe length of the second leash section 103 b may be adjustable, such asby using an adjustable length strap slider or similar mechanism (asshown, for example, in FIGS. 5A-5B).

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another alternative reduced-pullleash device 201 provided in accordance with embodiments herein. Withreference to FIG. 2, the reduced-pull leash device 201 includes a firstleash section 103 a having a first quick release 203 a and a secondquick release 203 b. For example, the first and second quick releases203 a, 203 b may be carabiners, quick release helmet fasteners or thelike. Use of quick releases 203 a, 203 b allows different length and/orelasticity first leash sections 103 a to be easily used. The secondleash section 103 b similarly may include a quick release 205 forcoupling to the harness 105 (and/or to the leash 109).

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of another alternative reduced-pullleash device 301 provided in accordance with embodiments herein. Withreference to FIG. 3A, in the reduced-pull leash device 301, the secondleash section 103 b is formed from the leash 109. For example, amounting ring 303 or other coupling may be attached to the leash 109 viaa strap 305 or other material to define a desired length for the secondleash section 103 b. The first leash section 103 a may couple to themounting ring 303 as shown, for example.

In some embodiments, the second leash section 103 b and/or the leash 109may be provided with mounting locations 307 (FIG. 3B) that allow themounting ring 303 to be coupled at any desired location along leash 109.This allows for easy adjustment of the length of the second leashsection 103 b relative to the first leash section 103 a. Any suitablemounting mechanism may be used to couple the strap 305 to the leash 109(e.g., snaps, plugs, etc.). In other embodiments, the first leashsection 103 a may couple directly to any of the mounting locations 307(e.g., without the mounting ring 303) to set a desired length of thefirst leash section 103 a relative to the second leash section 103 b.

As stated, the mounting locations 307 may be formed in the leash 109,the second leash section 103 b or both. In some embodiments, the secondleash section 103 b is created by attaching the first leash section 103a to one of the mounting locations 307 of the leash 109 (so as to definethe second leash section 103 b and its length).

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another alternative first leashsection 103 a provided in accordance with embodiments herein. Withreference to FIG. 4, the first leash section 103 a is coupled to a firstquick release 403 a and a second quick release 403 b. For example, thefirst and second quick releases 403 a, 403 b may be carabiners, quickrelease helmet fasteners or the like. Use of quick releases 403 a, 403 ballows different length and/or elasticity first leash sections to beeasily used. In the embodiment shown, the first leash section 103 aincludes looped ends 405 a, 405 b that allow the first leash section 103a to be quickly attached to or removed from the quick releases 403 a,403 b. Additional first leash sections of different thicknesses and/orelasticities may be used for or added to the first leash section 103 a.For example, FIG. 4 illustrates first leash sections 103 a′ and 103 a″which have different thicknesses and which may be used in place of or inaddition to the first leash section 103 a. In this manner, the length ofthe first leash section 103 a may be changed, or the amount of forcerequired to stretch the first leash section 103 a may be increased ordecreased as desired.

FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a reduced-pull leash assembly 501provided in accordance with embodiments herein. With reference to FIG.5A, in the reduced-pull leash assembly 501, the first leash section 103a may couple to the second leash section 103 b via quick release 503 aor another connector. For example, second leash section 103 b may beprovided with mounting locations 307 that allow the quick release 503 a,and thus first leash section 103 a, to be coupled at any desiredlocation along second leash section 103 b. A second quick release 503 ballows first leash section 103 a to be coupled to an upper portion of aharness 105 (e.g. behind a dog's neck such as above the dog's shoulderblades), and a third quick release 503 c allows second leash section 103b to be coupled to harness 105 (e.g., near a front or side region of thedog).

FIG. 5B is a schematic representation of a reduced-pull leash system 509that includes reduced-pull leash assembly 501 of FIG. 5A provided inaccordance with the present invention. Reduced pull leash system 509includes a leash 511 coupled to a mounting location 513 (e.g., amounting ring or similar mounting device) on second leash section 103 b.Leash 511 may be any suitable leash such as a fixed length leash, anadjustable length leash, a retractable leash (as shown) or the like. Asmentioned, first leash section 103 a may be formed of any extendible,stretchable and/or expandable material such as a natural or syntheticrubber, neoprene, or the like. In some embodiments, the first leashsection 103 a may include one or more bungee cords. The second leashsection 103 b may be formed from leather, nylon, chain, cable or anyother suitable material that is sufficient in strength to not break whenpulled on by a dog or other animal to be walked. In some embodiments,second leash section 103 b may be formed of the same material as thefirst leash section 103 a, but less extendible, stretchable and/orexpandable. For example, second leash section 103 b may be formed of athicker material that is more difficult to stretch or may otherwise haveother stretching characteristics (e.g., the first leash section 103 amay stretch by 100-200% while the second leash section 103 b may stretchby 20%-50%). Stretching by 100% means doubling in length (e.g., if theoriginal leash section is 5 inches, when stretched by 100%, the leashsection will be approximately 10 inches in length). In one particularembodiment, first leash section 103 a may stretch by 150-200% whilesecond leash section 103 b may stretch by 100% or less. Other stretchamounts may be used for either leash section.

In some embodiments, first leash section 103 a may be fixedly orremovably coupled to mounting location 513 of second leash section 103 brather than to one of mounting locations 307 (e.g., and/or second leashsection 103 b may not include mounting locations 307). For example, FIG.5C illustrates an embodiment of reduced-pull leash assembly 501 in whichfirst leash section 103 a may couple to either mounting location 513 ofsecond leash section 103 b or directly to leash 511 (not shown) using amounting ring 515 or other mounting mechanism, for example.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, second leash section 103 b may be ofa fixed length or of an adjustable length (as shown). For example,second leash section 103 b may include a strap slider 517 or similarmechanism that allows second leash section 103 b to be shortened orlengthened as desired. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5D, second leashsection 103 b includes a retraction device 519 that retracts leashsection 103 b when it is not being pulled on by leash 511. This may helpprevent a dog from becoming tangled in second leash section 103 b whenthe dog is not pulling on leash 511. Any suitable retraction device 519may be used (e.g., a spring-biased retraction device used for retractingtelephone cords or vacuum cleaner power cords, a coiled cord similar tothose used with telephone handsets, or the like).

FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of a reduced-pull leash device 601provided in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.The reduced-pull leash device 601 includes first leash section 103 athat is extendible and that couples to a top portion of a dog harness605, such as near a back region of dog 107 (e.g., near the shoulderblades of the dog). The reduced-pull leash device 601 also includessecond leash section 103 b, that in some embodiments is of a fixed oradjustable length, and that couples to a front portion of the dogharness 605, such as near a neck or front-side region of the dog 107.The first and second leash sections 103 a, 103 b also couple to dogleash 109. The dog leash 109 may be any conventional dog leash such as afixed length or retractable dog leash. Harness 605 may include multiplecoupling locations (only mounting locations 607 a, 607 b are shown inFIG. 6A) for second leash section 103 b (as described further below withregarding to FIG. 6C).

In some embodiments, the first leash section 103 a may be formed of anyextendible, stretchable and/or expandable material such as a natural orsynthetic rubber, neoprene, or the like. In some embodiments, the firstleash section 103 a may include one or more bungee cords. The secondleash section 103 b may be, in some embodiments, formed from leather,nylon, chain, cable or any other suitable material that is sufficient instrength to not break when pulled on by a dog or other animal to bewalked.

In some embodiments, a first end of the first leash section 103 a and afirst end of the second leash section 103 b may couple to a ring,carabiner, hook or similar device 111, which may also couple to theleash 109. A second end of the first leash section 103 a may couple tothe dog harness 605 at a back region of the dog 107, such as with aring, carabiner, hook or similar device. A second end of the secondleash section 103 b may couple to the dog harness 605 at a neck regionor front-side region of the dog 107, such as with a ring, carabiner,hook or similar device. Other coupling devices and/or locations may beused.

The length of the first leash section 103 a and the length of the secondleash section 103 b are configured so that the first leash section 103 aextends and/or expands when a dog pulls on the dog leash 109 until thesecond leash section 103 b becomes taut. Once the second leash section103 b becomes taut, a lateral force is generated at the front location(neck region as shown in FIG. 1C, or side-shoulder region as shown inFIG. 6B) of the dog 107 so as to pull the dog laterally.

First leash section 103 a expands until second leash section 103 bbecomes taut. At this point, any additional force from the personwalking the dog 107 creates a lateral and/or rotational force F3 thatcauses the dog 107 to be pulled laterally as the dog 107 tries to pullforward. The harder the dog 107 pulls, the more the dog 107 rotates.This makes it much harder for the dog 107 to pull the person walking thedog 107. The lateral and/or rotational force has also been found todiscourage the dog 107 from pulling, and to train the dog 107 to stoppulling once it feels the first leash section 103 a extending or stopextending.

FIG. 6C is a schematic representation of a reduced-pull leash system 609that includes reduced-pull leash device 601 of FIG. 6A provided inaccordance with the present invention. Reduced pull leash system 609includes a leash 611 coupled to first leash section 103 a and secondleash section 103 b. (First leash section 103 a may be coupled directlyto leash 611 or coupled to second leash section 103 b which in turn iscoupled to leash 611.) Leash 611 may be any suitable leash such as afixed length leash, an adjustable length leash, a retractable leash (asshown) or the like. As mentioned, first leash section 103 a may beformed of any extendible, stretchable and/or expandable material such asa natural or synthetic rubber, neoprene, or the like. In someembodiments, the first leash section 103 a may include one or morebungee cords. The second leash section 103 b may be formed from leather,nylon, chain, cable or any other suitable material that is sufficient instrength to not break when pulled on by a dog or other animal to bewalked. In some embodiments, second leash section 103 b may be formed ofthe same material as the first leash section 103 a, but less extendible,stretchable and/or expandable, as previously described. For example,second leash section 103 b may be formed of a thicker material that ismore difficult to stretch or may otherwise have other stretchingcharacteristics (e.g., the first leash section 103 a may stretch by100-200% while the second leash section 103 b may stretch by 20%-50%).In one particular embodiment, first leash section 103 a may stretch by150-200% while second leash section 103 b may stretch by 100% or less.Other stretch amounts may be used for either leash section.Alternatively, second leash section 103 b may be of a fixed length or ofan adjustable in length. In some embodiments, second leash section 103 bmay include a retraction device 519 that retracts leash section 103 bwhen it is not being pulled on by leash 611.

Reduced-pull leash system 609 includes harness 605 which includesadditional attachment locations 607 a-j for second leash section 103 b.Each attachment location 607 a-j may include a hole, loop, mounting ringor the like for attaching second leash section 103 b. Any number ofattachment locations may be provided (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, etc.). Harness 605 also includes one or more attachment locations613 a-b for first leash section 103 a. Each attachment location 613 a-cmay include a hole, loop, mounting ring or the like for attaching firstleash section 103 a. Any number of attachment locations may be provided(e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.).

In some embodiments, a support strap 615 may be provided that couplesbetween one of the attachment locations 607 a-j or 613 a-c and secondleash section 103 b to keep second leash section 103 b from becomingtangled or tripping a dog wearing harness 605. Support strap 615 may bemade of any suitable material, such as natural or synthetic rubber,neoprene leather, nylon, chain, cable, or the like. In some embodiments,support strap 615 may be adjustable in length (e.g., via a slider strap,a retraction device, or the like). Harness 605 may be formed from nylon,leather or another suitable material.

The foregoing description discloses only example embodiments of theinvention. Modifications of the above disclosed apparatus and methodswhich fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the second leashsection 103 b may be of a fixed length or, in some embodiments,extendible but requiring more force than the first leash section 103 ato extend. In such cases, the second leash section 103 b may be formedfrom natural or synthetic rubber, neoprene, or the like, for example. Inone particular example, the first and second leash sections 103 a, 103 bmay be formed from the same material but the second leash section 103 bmay be thicker than the first leash section 103 a so as to require moreforce to extend. While described primarily with regard to dogs, it willbe understood that the reduced-pull leash device described herein may beemployed with other animals.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed inconnection with the example embodiments thereof, it should be understoodthat other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention, as defined by the following claims.

1. A reduced-pull dog harness comprising: a first portion configured toextend between a first side and a second side of a dog across a chestregion of the dog; and a second portion configured to extend between thefirst side and the second side of the dog across an upper back region ofthe dog; wherein the first portion includes a plurality of leashattachment locations located along the first portion.
 2. Thereduced-pull dog harness of claim 1 wherein the plurality of leashattachment locations along the first portion includes at least threeleash attachment locations.
 3. The reduced-pull dog harness of claim 1wherein the plurality of leash attachment locations along the firstportion includes at least five leash attachment locations.
 4. Thereduced-pull dog harness of claim 1 wherein each attachment locationincludes a mounting loop.
 5. The reduced-pull dog harness of claim 1wherein the second portion includes a plurality of leash attachmentlocations located along the second portion.
 6. The reduced-pull dogharness of claim 5 wherein the plurality of leash attachment locationsalong the second portion includes at least three leash attachmentlocations.
 7. The reduced-pull dog harness of claim 5 wherein theplurality of leash attachment locations along the second portionincludes at least five leash attachment locations.
 8. The reduced-pulldog harness of claim 1 further comprising a support strap configured tohold a section of a leash coupled to one of the plurality of leashattachment locations located along the first portion.
 9. Thereduced-pull dog harness of claim 8 wherein the support strap is coupledto a leash attachment location located along the second portion.
 10. Thereduced-pull dog harness of claim 1 further comprising a third portionconfigured to extend between a first side and a second side of the dogacross a lower chest region of the dog; wherein the third portionincludes a plurality of leash attachment locations located along thethird portion.
 11. A reduced-pull dog harness comprising: a firstportion configured to extend between a first side and a second side of adog across a chest region of the dog; and a second portion configured toextend between the first side and the second side of the dog across anupper back region of the dog; wherein the second portion includes aplurality of leash attachment locations located along the secondportion.
 12. The reduced-pull dog harness of claim 11 wherein theplurality of leash attachment locations along the second portionincludes at least three leash attachment locations.
 13. The reduced-pulldog harness of claim 11 wherein the plurality of leash attachmentlocations along the second portion includes at least five leashattachment locations.
 14. The reduced-pull dog harness of claim 11wherein each attachment location includes a mounting loop.
 15. Thereduced-pull dog harness of claim 11 further comprising a support strapconfigured to hold a section of a leash coupled to a leash attachmentlocation located along the first portion.
 16. The reduced-pull dogharness of claim 8 wherein the support strap is coupled to one of theplurality of leash attachment locations located along the secondportion.
 17. The reduced-pull dog harness of claim 11 further comprisinga third portion configured to extend between the first side and thesecond side of the dog across a lower chest region of the dog; whereinthe third portion includes a plurality of leash attachment locationslocated along the third portion.